Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge
Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge North Annex · Canyon Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇺🇸 Arizona, Chinle, United States
About
About Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge
Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge in Arizona, Chinle, United States is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 36.1330N -109.5380E controls access to Arizona resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Arizona, Chinle, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1972 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge main structure
c. 1912
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1972–2017
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
36.1330° N · 109.5380° W · 164 m · 4 mapped features
Canyon de Chelly White House South Ledge — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
36.1338° N · 109.5371° WCanyon de Chelly White House South Ledge — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
36.1320° N · 109.5387° WCanyon de Chelly White House South Ledge — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
36.1345° N · 109.5368° WCanyon de Chelly White House South Ledge — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
36.1314° N · 109.5391° W